Don't Feed the Ducks! But You Can Play with a Turtle!

Don't do this! Ha, even though my daughter (3) did fall in the water, that's not why. You're not supposed to feed the ducks at Bass Lake. In fact, you're not supposed to feed any of the wildlife. WHOOPS!

My friend, Amanda, and I were so bored last week. We just couldn't think of anything to do. We almost just stayed back played in the cul de sac, again.

Instead we grabbed some old bread and headed to Bass Lake Park (off of Bass Lake Road) in Holly Springs. Since there are two 1-year-olds and one 2-year-old between us, we missed a few signs. The girls started to feed the ducks, who darted toward us at the edge of the water. In fact, they wouldn't leave us alone when the bread quickly ran out.

About 5 minutes later, park personell came over to show us, rather politely I might add, that there were signs (which we were almost sitting on) asking people not to feed the animals. WHOOPS!

But he was incredibly nice and told us about a little nature center in the Bass Lake Park pavilion. I must say, I've been to Bass Lake a dozen times and had no idea this was there. I knew about the ducks, the boat rental, the beautiful deck on the pavilion and even the trails (which are a bit rough for toddlers).

The North Carolina Environmental Education Center was wonderful. Ella and Dani (both 1 1/2) and Jordan (almost 3) loved it. They played for at least 30 minutes without a problem. There were live snakes, fish, books, toys and even a live turtle that wasn't even contained. All three girls loved the turtle. I appropriately named it Shelly.

I don't usually encourage rule breaking, but this is the exception. If we hadn't broken their rules, we wouldn't have met Shelly or found this great little facility.

Bass Lake Park
900 Bass Lake Road
Holly Springs, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: Live animals (but in terrariums so you don't have to touch them), lots of books, friendly staff and other educational toys/tools. (See also cost)

LOW LIGHTS: There were a few unprotected "don't-touch" items and even a few rock samples which both 1-year-olds put in their mouths. It's not terribly clean. 

COST: FREE

Beat The Heat with the BUG BEAT!

When it's 95 degrees and sweltering hot, we tend to do the same things over and over. By August it can get very boring! I am not the craft person some of my mommy friends are. I just didn't get "that" gene. Gimme a ball and bat, a swing set, jungle gym, swimming pool -- ANYTHING -- but don't coop me up inside!

However, there are a few things I do LOVE to do with my girls (18 months & almost 3) when we just can't deal with the weather anymore. My favorite is the dance parties! For a baby shower gift my mom gave me a book Do Bugs Have Belly Buttons? by Christine Tortorella. It's a CD book. No, it's not just an audio book but a CD with the front cover as the page-turning book. It's adorable.

My girls absolutely love the music, specifically the song "Bug Beat." It's impossible to describe, so I'll just show you (video above).  -- She also offers free downloads of her song on her website dobugshavebellybuttons.com!

I recently learned the author, wife of New York Rangers coach John Tortorella, gives all proceeds from the sale of her books to literacy programs. Love that.

HIGHLIGHTS: It's a great way to get your kids on your feet when it's too hot to run around outside.

LOW LIGHTS: Sometimes they make me listen to it 100 times.

COST: FREE or for book $10 + $1.95 shipping

Turtle Park (AKA Crowder Park) is A Nice Change

Crowder Park in Apex, NC off of Ten-Ten Road is another fun park to try out. It's not my favorite, but it's pretty fun, especially the first time you go. It's pretty shaded, too, so it's a great park to go to when it gets hot.

Both of my daughters absolutely screached when they saw the turtles from the bridge that connects two sections of the park. The turtles swim up, almost right at you, and then duck under water and swim away. There's a 3-acre pond, Crowder Pond?, that runs through the park. The turtles are everywhere. We counted at least 15 when we were there last time, and we weren't there long. There are two areas with playgrounds and a couple shelters and paved trails.

Next time we go we'll pack a lunch and have a little picnic. Oh, yeah, and the squirrels were incredibly friendly and not scared of people That scared me a little bit. Wild animals and toddlers don't generally mix well, but the saving grace is that the animals run away from the kids. They didn't here. The squirrels were actually playing under the playground equipment. Dani (15 months) loved it. She chased the squirrels for 30 minutes, screaming the whole time. Needless to say, she barely made it out of the parking lot before falling asleep in her carseat.

I cannot decide if that friendly animals are a positive or a negative. But the play equipment is wonderful, and there are several areas with equipment. So if one area is crowded, just keep walking onto the next.

4709 Ten Ten Rd.
Apex, NC 27539
Phone: 919-662-2850

HIGHLIGHTS: Free, the pond loaded with turtles, lots of shelters, two separate areas with playgrounds

LOW LIGHTS: Animals may just be a bit friendly, it can get crowded because there are lots of kids groups that go there, there always seems to be some kind of construction or repairs on the equipment (not good for the very little ones)

PRICE: FREE!!!

Later Crocodiles

Busch Gardens Weekend Vacation



Jordan and her Nana getting on Prince Elmo's Spire, one of many rides available for toddlers.



Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va was a huge surprise! I cannot believe I spent a whole day in an amusement park with a 2- & 1-year-old and had a great time.

Dani playing in the water section of Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens.



There is an entire section for young children like Jordan and Dani called the Forest of Fun. It's an Elmo and friends themed portion of the park with water play, rides for really little ones and so much more. Right next to it was an animal petting area (which we never made it to because there were so many other things to do).



Jordan (2) went on several rides, by herself, and was having a blast. Dani (15 months) even rode a couple rides with her dad. It was incredible. They were smiling, clapping and begging for more despite a few lines in which they had to wait 15 minutes or more (an eternity to a toddler).

Kids under 3 are free, too! I cannot wait to get back. I want to go again before Jordan's third birthday. It was incredible. But it wasn't cheap!

HIGHLIGHTS: The rides designed for kids her age, Forest of Fun with Elmo, lots of shaded areas

LOW LIGHTS: Lines, expensive food, it doesn't open until 10 a.m. (which is 3 hours before naptime in my house), it takes 3 or more hours to get there from the RDU area

COST:  $66.99 per adult, $56.99 for children 3 and older

Later Crocodile